STATEMENT FROM POWER TO DECIDE ON RELEASE OF FY2020 LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION FUNDING BILL

Press release

STATEMENT FROM POWER TO DECIDE ON RELEASE OF FY2020 LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION FUNDING BILL

April 30, 2019

(Washington, D.C.) — Yesterday, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee released its draft fiscal year 2020 funding bill. The Subcommittee is scheduled to vote on the bill today, Tuesday, April 30.

The bill includes $110 million for the evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Program, a $9 million increase, and provides a sixth year of funding for grants awarded in 2015, to mitigate against unlawful disruption of these projects by the Administration. The bill also prohibits fiscal year 2020 TPP Program funds from being transferred to any other agency within the Department of Health and Human Services.

The bill also includes $400 million for the Title X Family Planning Program, which is a $113.5 million increase, and prohibits the use of fiscal year 2020 funds to implement the Administration’s domestic gag rule. Currently, the rule is the subject of numerous lawsuits and a nationwide injunction.

Finally, the bill does include the Hyde Amendment, which denies people enrolled in Medicaid, and other public health insurance programs, insurance coverage for abortion.

In response, Ginny Ehrlich, CEO, Power to Decide, issued the following statement:

“We are extremely pleased with the strong and robust support for the evidence-based TPP Program and for the Title X Family Planning Program. These programs are critical supports for millions of people in need. The House bill also recognizes the threats to the TPP Program and Title X from the current Administration. We are pleased to see that the bill seeks to protect the integrity of these programs. We were, however, disappointed with the inclusion of the Hyde Amendment, which will deny people enrolled in Medicaid, and other public health insurance programs, insurance coverage for abortion. Nevertheless, we are grateful to our legislative champions who continue to lead the fight in Congress to ensure everyone has access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care.”

Power to Decide is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to ensure all people—no matter who they are, where they live or what their economic status might be—have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child. Please visit us at www.PowerToDecide.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.